Dump Your Home Owners Insurance ---They Won't Pay

[NoTeaPartyPleez]

When our roof lost shingles due to a windstorm and one of our fences was knocked down, I had an insurance adjuster out within 2 days and money a week later to pay for repairs. When our kitchen caught fire, they paid for the new floor, new counter tops, new facet, painting everything was good as new, no problem. I have USAA, it's a non profit insurance company for military retirees and their dependents and I don't think there is a better insurance company in the world. Cheaper maybe, but not better.

Small isolated incidences are handled much differently than widespread natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy. The insurance companies up here have abandoned their policy holders.

 

[Againsheila]

When our roof lost shingles due to a windstorm and one of our fences was knocked down, I had an insurance adjuster out within 2 days and money a week later to pay for repairs. When our kitchen caught fire, they paid for the new floor, new counter tops, new facet, painting everything was good as new, no problem. I have USAA, it's a non profit insurance company for military retirees and their dependents and I don't think there is a better insurance company in the world. Cheaper maybe, but not better.

Yes, some insurance companies do pay off like they're supposed to. But, there's a downside even to that. After having to file claims for a hail damaged roof, a car wreck which wasn't our fault and flooding due to a malfunctioning washing machine, we got a letter from our carrier warning us that one more claim within a specified period might result in them dropping us as a customer.

USAA is non profit. During years in which they make too much money, they give back to their customers. I can't think of a better insurance company.

 

[Againsheila]

Once the levees were breached, there was nothing anybody could do about it until the water had run its course. They tried blocking the hole in the Industrial Canal with giant sand bags, but it didn't work and it was far too late for the Lower 9th Ward anyhow. Most of the other levees did not collapse, but were simply over-topped by too much water. Even FEMA can't stop that and nobody can get in to do anything more than rescue so long as the water remains.

It was a unique situation with unique results. Yes, things could have been done better. That's always true and every disaster is a learning experience, but something like Katrina and Sandy don't come along all that often. Comparing them to other disasters would be akin to comparing the invasion of Panama with WWII. It's just not the same thing.

Hurricane Andrew was pretty devastating. And was $26 billion in damages in 1992 dollars, and is still the 4th costliest ever.

Within Miami-Dade County alone, the storm destroyed about 25,524 homes and damaged 101,241 others.

President GHW Bush worked with our Governor and everything went very smoothly.

Like I said: all that often. 23 years passed between Andrew and Katrina. For many American's, that's their whole life. Our institutional memory isn't that long.

Disaster responses are the domain of the states. They have the ultimate responsibility and not every state is as adept as the next one. It's just one of those "states rights" issues we have to deal with.

And, it's not just governments which can drop the ball or do things that make you scratch your head and say, "Huh?" Our SBC response to the High Park Fire in Larimer County, CO last year is a good example. The Colorado Baptist's don't have a very big disaster relief ministry (yet), so they called upon we Okies for assistance. We responded en masse and got a very good operation going there and at the Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs (at the same time that we were also responding to fires in New Mexico and, shortly after, fires in Oklahoma). After a couple of weeks of diligent effort, we had the response running like a well-oiled machine and we turned it over to our California brothers to carry on.

You'd think the California crew would be the experts at managing a fire disaster, right? I mean...after all...who has more experience? Unfortunately, that didn't turn out to be the case. According to what I've heard from those who were there after the transition, they screwed it up royally.

The point is that disaster relief, whether from a government entity or an NGO is very much dependent upon the individuals involved and the institutional readiness to deal with it. Some people and organizations are very good at it. Regrettably, some are not. A lot of what we may perceive as problems in disaster management, the rules and regulations and contingency plans etc, are nothing more than attempts to standardize responses across the board and in every circumstance, to account for the differing levels of ability.

It will never be perfect because there are no perfect people to plug into critical positions.

What made me so upset about Katrina, other than the people shooting at the people trying to cross the bridge and get out, was the fact that it took our government 5 days to respond to a disaster they knew was going to happen 4 days before it happened. Meanwhile, only about a month earlier, they responded to a Tsunami in Thailand that happened without warning, 1/2 a world away and they were there in 2 days. TWO fricking days, but it took them FIVE days to help our own people with FOUR days of warning. What the heck is wrong with our government?

 

[KissMy]

USAA is non profit. During years in which they make too much money, they give back to their customers. I can't think of a better insurance company.

To many people buy insurance based on the rate or rebate gimmicks. They try to get the cheapest policy possible to satisfy their mortgage company. Those type companies know you are just rate shoppers & pocket the money. They don't care if you get pissed off because they make it difficult, don't pay or low-ball your claim. If you actually want an insurance company to repair your home or car then buy insurance based on customer satisfaction of claims.

The difference in premium is maybe 10%. But it is basically the difference between getting the house fixed good as new (replacement cost) or next to nothing but a headache because they depreciated it down below the deductible. Instead of paying a lot of money for a piece of insurance paper to satisfy your lender, you may as well pay the extra 10% & actually buy real insurance. Then your agent will come out, help you file your claim, find you a place to stay while they repair your home, make sure they pay the repair, get you moved back in & make sure you are happy so your neighbors will beg for their insurance.

As for the OP home owner, they had best get a private / independent adjuster to fight this out with their insurance company. Otherwise they are going to have fix it out of pocket & fight it out by themselves.

 

[Oldguy]

Hurricane Andrew was pretty devastating. And was $26 billion in damages in 1992 dollars, and is still the 4th costliest ever.



President GHW Bush worked with our Governor and everything went very smoothly.

Like I said: all that often. 23 years passed between Andrew and Katrina. For many American's, that's their whole life. Our institutional memory isn't that long.

Disaster responses are the domain of the states. They have the ultimate responsibility and not every state is as adept as the next one. It's just one of those "states rights" issues we have to deal with.

And, it's not just governments which can drop the ball or do things that make you scratch your head and say, "Huh?" Our SBC response to the High Park Fire in Larimer County, CO last year is a good example. The Colorado Baptist's don't have a very big disaster relief ministry (yet), so they called upon we Okies for assistance. We responded en masse and got a very good operation going there and at the Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs (at the same time that we were also responding to fires in New Mexico and, shortly after, fires in Oklahoma). After a couple of weeks of diligent effort, we had the response running like a well-oiled machine and we turned it over to our California brothers to carry on.

You'd think the California crew would be the experts at managing a fire disaster, right? I mean...after all...who has more experience? Unfortunately, that didn't turn out to be the case. According to what I've heard from those who were there after the transition, they screwed it up royally.

The point is that disaster relief, whether from a government entity or an NGO is very much dependent upon the individuals involved and the institutional readiness to deal with it. Some people and organizations are very good at it. Regrettably, some are not. A lot of what we may perceive as problems in disaster management, the rules and regulations and contingency plans etc, are nothing more than attempts to standardize responses across the board and in every circumstance, to account for the differing levels of ability.

It will never be perfect because there are no perfect people to plug into critical positions.

What made me so upset about Katrina, other than the people shooting at the people trying to cross the bridge and get out, was the fact that it took our government 5 days to respond to a disaster they knew was going to happen 4 days before it happened. Meanwhile, only about a month earlier, they responded to a Tsunami in Thailand that happened without warning, 1/2 a world away and they were there in 2 days. TWO fricking days, but it took them FIVE days to help our own people with FOUR days of warning. What the heck is wrong with our government?

Uh... I don't think you're right. I was in Covington, LA on the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain by the 3rd day and the federal armed forces already had a receiving location for the bodies retrieved from New Orleans up and running in Mandeville, at the north end of the Causeway. Army, Marine and Coast Guard helicopters were in the air constantly and they were sending trucks to our location for MRE's and water. FEMA was all over the place. I went over to Slidell on about the 5th day and regular Army troops with loaded weapons were there by then. I saw them (yes, I can recognize the difference between regular army troops and national guard by their shoulder patches.)

The response may have been delayed alright, but I don't think that was the federal government's fault. That rests with Blanco's disaster staff, in my opinion. In their defense, though, nobody really understood the extent of the flooding in New Orleans until after the storm had passed, and even then, they didn't want to believe it. And, phone, electric and internet service was down throughout the whole zone of destruction. People back "home" watching it on CNN or FOX actually had a better handle on what was going on than we did.

 

[Oldguy]

When our roof lost shingles due to a windstorm and one of our fences was knocked down, I had an insurance adjuster out within 2 days and money a week later to pay for repairs. When our kitchen caught fire, they paid for the new floor, new counter tops, new facet, painting everything was good as new, no problem. I have USAA, it's a non profit insurance company for military retirees and their dependents and I don't think there is a better insurance company in the world. Cheaper maybe, but not better.

Yes, some insurance companies do pay off like they're supposed to. But, there's a downside even to that. After having to file claims for a hail damaged roof, a car wreck which wasn't our fault and flooding due to a malfunctioning washing machine, we got a letter from our carrier warning us that one more claim within a specified period might result in them dropping us as a customer.

USAA is non profit. During years in which they make too much money, they give back to their customers. I can't think of a better insurance company.

I have State Farm and they do that too.

 

[Oldguy]

USAA is non profit. During years in which they make too much money, they give back to their customers. I can't think of a better insurance company.

To many people buy insurance based on the rate or rebate gimmicks. They try to get the cheapest policy possible to satisfy their mortgage company. Those type companies know you are just rate shoppers & pocket the money. They don't care if you get pissed off because they make it difficult, don't pay or low-ball your claim. If you actually want an insurance company to repair your home or car buy insurance based on customer satisfaction of claims.

The difference in premium is maybe 10%. But it is basically the difference between getting the house fixed good as new (replacement cost) or next to nothing but a headache because they depreciated it down below the deductible. Instead of paying a lot of money for a piece of insurance paper to satisfy your lender, you may as well pay the extra 10% & actually buy real insurance. Then your agent will come out, help you file your claim, find you a place to stay while they repair your home, make sure they pay the repair, get you moved back in & make sure you are happy so your neighbors will beg for their insurance.

As for the OP home owner, they had best get a private / independent adjuster to fight this out with their insurance company. Otherwise they are going to have fix it out of pocket & fight it out by themselves.

Yup. Ya get what ya pay for.

At every disaster I've worked, I've noticed that State Farm, Progressive and Allstate have mobile claims units in the area within hours. Hardly anybody else does.

 

[KissMy]

USAA is non profit. During years in which they make too much money, they give back to their customers. I can't think of a better insurance company.

To many people buy insurance based on the rate or rebate gimmicks. They try to get the cheapest policy possible to satisfy their mortgage company. Those type companies know you are just rate shoppers & pocket the money. They don't care if you get pissed off because they make it difficult, don't pay or low-ball your claim. If you actually want an insurance company to repair your home or car buy insurance based on customer satisfaction of claims.

The difference in premium is maybe 10%. But it is basically the difference between getting the house fixed good as new (replacement cost) or next to nothing but a headache because they depreciated it down below the deductible. Instead of paying a lot of money for a piece of insurance paper to satisfy your lender, you may as well pay the extra 10% & actually buy real insurance. Then your agent will come out, help you file your claim, find you a place to stay while they repair your home, make sure they pay the repair, get you moved back in & make sure you are happy so your neighbors will beg for their insurance.

As for the OP home owner, they had best get a private / independent adjuster to fight this out with their insurance company. Otherwise they are going to have fix it out of pocket & fight it out by themselves.

Yup. Ya get what ya pay for.

At every disaster I've worked, I've noticed that State Farm, Progressive and Allstate have mobile claims units in the area within hours. Hardly anybody else does.

Yup! - And you can allways tell which homes get repaired best & first.

We had a big hail storm here last year. All the neighbors with Allstate got a check first & for the most money. State Farm & Farmers were decent also. People with crap insurance did not get a dime. But their homes & autos were hit just as bad as the Allstate homes that got $20k checks on the spot.

 

[Synthaholic]

And you don't do that by appointing a horse show judge to run the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It was just cronyism. Brown was a good friend of a big Bush supporter and campaign manager Joe Allbaugh.

Yep, but that's the system we have and we just have to deal with it. Politics matters.

I would be happier with the system if we had a better citizenry. One that actually held politicians accountable for their actions.

On the other hand, what experience would qualify someone to hold the position of FEMA director? Or, any federal bureaucracy for that matter?

Management experience. Preferably over multiple components. I would see someone like that Costco founder being a good FEMA director. Same for someone from General Electric, or Yamaha. Diversity in management.

Also, during Andrew, you didn't have teabaggers in Congress holding up money to FEMA like you do now.

Yep, and all the while seeking federal money for disasters in THEIR states!

These actions only further polarize the nation.

 

[Synthaholic]

When our roof lost shingles due to a windstorm and one of our fences was knocked down, I had an insurance adjuster out within 2 days and money a week later to pay for repairs. When our kitchen caught fire, they paid for the new floor, new counter tops, new facet, painting everything was good as new, no problem. I have USAA, it's a non profit insurance company for military retirees and their dependents and I don't think there is a better insurance company in the world. Cheaper maybe, but not better.

Yes, some insurance companies do pay off like they're supposed to. But, there's a downside even to that. After having to file claims for a hail damaged roof, a car wreck which wasn't our fault and flooding due to a malfunctioning washing machine, we got a letter from our carrier warning us that one more claim within a specified period might result in them dropping us as a customer.

USAA is non profit. During years in which they make too much money, they give back to their customers. I can't think of a better insurance company.

I've been with USAA since the early 1990s. Fantastic company.

 

[OohPooPahDoo]

Here's my neighbor's house the day after Hurricane Sandy hit....six months ago.

As of today April 29, 2013 the tree has been removed but the house has remained untouched. It has essentially been a bowl all winter for rain and snow. Much has been taken out and set on the curb to be taken away by the garbage trucks because of mold and water destruction.

The sides of the house and roof have started to collapse inside the walls. I suspect there are all manner of furry four-legged creatures who have taken up residence inside. We know of several feral cats who are living in there now.

Encompass Insurance has let this happen. Their assessment was that she just needed a new roof over the second floor. That's it. My neighbor paid her homeowner's insurance for 22 years only to get this. Save your money, cancel your property insurance. It is a huge rip off, especially if your home is damaged from a large, widespread natural disaster. FEMA has done shit around New Jersey. This is a huge failure on the part of Obama's admin. Chris Christie is still fighting the good fight.

Obama runs Encompass Insurance?

 

[Synthaholic]

Hurricane Andrew was pretty devastating. And was $26 billion in damages in 1992 dollars, and is still the 4th costliest ever.



President GHW Bush worked with our Governor and everything went very smoothly.

Like I said: all that often. 23 years passed between Andrew and Katrina. For many American's, that's their whole life. Our institutional memory isn't that long.

Disaster responses are the domain of the states. They have the ultimate responsibility and not every state is as adept as the next one. It's just one of those "states rights" issues we have to deal with.

And, it's not just governments which can drop the ball or do things that make you scratch your head and say, "Huh?" Our SBC response to the High Park Fire in Larimer County, CO last year is a good example. The Colorado Baptist's don't have a very big disaster relief ministry (yet), so they called upon we Okies for assistance. We responded en masse and got a very good operation going there and at the Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs (at the same time that we were also responding to fires in New Mexico and, shortly after, fires in Oklahoma). After a couple of weeks of diligent effort, we had the response running like a well-oiled machine and we turned it over to our California brothers to carry on.

You'd think the California crew would be the experts at managing a fire disaster, right? I mean...after all...who has more experience? Unfortunately, that didn't turn out to be the case. According to what I've heard from those who were there after the transition, they screwed it up royally.

The point is that disaster relief, whether from a government entity or an NGO is very much dependent upon the individuals involved and the institutional readiness to deal with it. Some people and organizations are very good at it. Regrettably, some are not. A lot of what we may perceive as problems in disaster management, the rules and regulations and contingency plans etc, are nothing more than attempts to standardize responses across the board and in every circumstance, to account for the differing levels of ability.

It will never be perfect because there are no perfect people to plug into critical positions.

What made me so upset about Katrina, other than the people shooting at the people trying to cross the bridge and get out, was the fact that it took our government 5 days to respond to a disaster they knew was going to happen 4 days before it happened. Meanwhile, only about a month earlier, they responded to a Tsunami in Thailand that happened without warning, 1/2 a world away and they were there in 2 days. TWO fricking days, but it took them FIVE days to help our own people with FOUR days of warning. What the heck is wrong with our government?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI]Bush Doesn't Care About Black People - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Againsheila]

Yes, some insurance companies do pay off like they're supposed to. But, there's a downside even to that. After having to file claims for a hail damaged roof, a car wreck which wasn't our fault and flooding due to a malfunctioning washing machine, we got a letter from our carrier warning us that one more claim within a specified period might result in them dropping us as a customer.

USAA is non profit. During years in which they make too much money, they give back to their customers. I can't think of a better insurance company.

I've been with USAA since the early 1990s. Fantastic company.

I've been with them since I first moved out on my own and started having to pay my own car insurance. One of the benefits of being raised in an Air Force family.

 

[OohPooPahDoo]

USAA is non profit. During years in which they make too much money, they give back to their customers. I can't think of a better insurance company.

To many people buy insurance based on the rate or rebate gimmicks. They try to get the cheapest policy possible to satisfy their mortgage company. Those type companies know you are just rate shoppers & pocket the money. They don't care if you get pissed off because they make it difficult, don't pay or low-ball your claim. If you actually want an insurance company to repair your home or car buy insurance based on customer satisfaction of claims.

The difference in premium is maybe 10%. But it is basically the difference between getting the house fixed good as new (replacement cost) or next to nothing but a headache because they depreciated it down below the deductible. Instead of paying a lot of money for a piece of insurance paper to satisfy your lender, you may as well pay the extra 10% & actually buy real insurance. Then your agent will come out, help you file your claim, find you a place to stay while they repair your home, make sure they pay the repair, get you moved back in & make sure you are happy so your neighbors will beg for their insurance.

As for the OP home owner, they had best get a private / independent adjuster to fight this out with their insurance company. Otherwise they are going to have fix it out of pocket & fight it out by themselves.

Yup. Ya get what ya pay for.

At every disaster I've worked, I've noticed that State Farm, Progressive and Allstate have mobile claims units in the area within hours. Hardly anybody else does.

If your home is damaged by both wind/trees AND flood, Allstate will **** you.

 

[KissMy]

To many people buy insurance based on the rate or rebate gimmicks. They try to get the cheapest policy possible to satisfy their mortgage company. Those type companies know you are just rate shoppers & pocket the money. They don't care if you get pissed off because they make it difficult, don't pay or low-ball your claim. If you actually want an insurance company to repair your home or car buy insurance based on customer satisfaction of claims.

The difference in premium is maybe 10%. But it is basically the difference between getting the house fixed good as new (replacement cost) or next to nothing but a headache because they depreciated it down below the deductible. Instead of paying a lot of money for a piece of insurance paper to satisfy your lender, you may as well pay the extra 10% & actually buy real insurance. Then your agent will come out, help you file your claim, find you a place to stay while they repair your home, make sure they pay the repair, get you moved back in & make sure you are happy so your neighbors will beg for their insurance.

As for the OP home owner, they had best get a private / independent adjuster to fight this out with their insurance company. Otherwise they are going to have fix it out of pocket & fight it out by themselves.

Yup. Ya get what ya pay for.

At every disaster I've worked, I've noticed that State Farm, Progressive and Allstate have mobile claims units in the area within hours. Hardly anybody else does.

If your home is damaged by both wind/trees AND flood, Allstate will **** you.

The US Government sells & handles Flood Insurance. If your home is flood damaged, your insurance company has to wait for the Government to do their part. If the flood broke the underground sewer or foundation or structure, what good does it do Allstate to put a new roof on? They have to wait until the government does their part.

 

[OohPooPahDoo]

Yup. Ya get what ya pay for.

At every disaster I've worked, I've noticed that State Farm, Progressive and Allstate have mobile claims units in the area within hours. Hardly anybody else does.

If your home is damaged by both wind/trees AND flood, Allstate will **** you.

The US Government sells & handles Flood Insurance. If your home is flood damaged, your insurance company has to wait for the Government to do their part. If the flood broke the underground sewer or foundation or structure, what good does it do Allstate to put a new roof on? They have to wait until the government does their part.

Yes, but if you do not have flood coverage, Allstate still owes you money for the damage caused due to wind and other covered non-flood causes. They will try to weasel out of paying you anything claiming the entire damage is due to the flood only.

 

[KissMy]

If your home is damaged by both wind/trees AND flood, Allstate will **** you.

The US Government sells & handles Flood Insurance. If your home is flood damaged, your insurance company has to wait for the Government to do their part. If the flood broke the underground sewer or foundation or structure, what good does it do Allstate to put a new roof on? They have to wait until the government does their part.

Yes, but if you do not have flood coverage, Allstate still owes you money for the damage caused due to wind and other covered non-flood causes. They will try to weasel out of paying you anything claiming the entire damage is due to the flood only.

Well could be the house is a total loss due to foundational / structural damage from flood. The entire house will have to be replaced regardless if it had a good roof. State insurance laws govern how claims are paid. I don't know about Louisiana insurance law.

 

[Againsheila]

I don't live in a flood plain and I'm glad. Why would anybody buy a house in a flood plain? When we were first married we were looking at a house in the Auburn valley but my mother talked us out of it because of the dam. Turns out she was right, that dam is now in danger of breaking, or at least it was last year, I don't know if they did anything to fix it. I'm pretty sure when we get that big earthquake the dam will be history and all those people will be in a boatload of trouble.

 

[Oldguy]

I don't live in a flood plain and I'm glad. Why would anybody buy a house in a flood plain? When we were first married we were looking at a house in the Auburn valley but my mother talked us out of it because of the dam. Turns out she was right, that dam is now in danger of breaking, or at least it was last year, I don't know if they did anything to fix it. I'm pretty sure when we get that big earthquake the dam will be history and all those people will be in a boatload of trouble.

Floods, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, drought's, hurricanes, blizzard's, ice storms. There is NO place you can live where you are exempt from natural disasters, so your point is meaningless.

 

[KissMy]

I don't live in a flood plain and I'm glad. Why would anybody buy a house in a flood plain? When we were first married we were looking at a house in the Auburn valley but my mother talked us out of it because of the dam. Turns out she was right, that dam is now in danger of breaking, or at least it was last year, I don't know if they did anything to fix it. I'm pretty sure when we get that big earthquake the dam will be history and all those people will be in a boatload of trouble.

Floods, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, drought's, hurricanes, blizzard's, ice storms. There is NO place you can live where you are exempt from natural disasters, so your point is meaningless.

Floods are the worst. You have to deal with the government & or sewer didtrict on those. Or government, sewer & private insurance arbatration. If you have no flood insurance, you have to fix the flood damage before insurance will fix the wind damage.